ForeverMissed
Large image
Christian Matthew Eklund was born December 2, 1974, the very first child of Carol (née Guidaboni) and Norman Eklund. He graduated from Sandwich High School in Sandwich, Massachusetts and later attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he graduated in 1996 with dual degrees in Business Administration and Marketing.

Chris was employed by Lead Liaison, LLC. for the past 7 years. He was a faithful fan of the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox...in that order.

He was preceded in death by grandmother Loretta E. (Pirani) Guidaboni.

He passed away unexpectedly at his home on May 1, 2021 at the age of forty-six.

He leaves behind two beautiful daughters Lulu and Alice; caring and devoted wife Terri, all of McKinney, Texas; Parents Carol and Norman Eklund, brother Jeffrey and sister-in-law Lynn Therese Odams, Aunt Lynne and Uncle Joel Leonardi, all of Sandwich, MA. Cousins Brian Leonardi and his wife Amy of Falmouth, MA and Timothy Leonardi and his wife Charline of Scituate, MA

A Celebration of Life for Chris will be held Sunday, June 13, 1 o'clock at the Mezza Luna restaurant
253 Main St., Buzzards Bay. 
I will need a head count from those who plan to attend, as the restaurant requires it. The family would really love it if you could come and you can bring whomever you’d like. We just need to know how many. Please email theeklunds2011@gmail.com if you plan on attending. Thank you!
December 2, 2023
December 2, 2023
Happy Birthday, Chris. Another year of missing you….
May 1, 2023
May 1, 2023
Still another year has gone by, another year that we never stop thinking of you……
December 2, 2022
December 2, 2022
Happy Heavenly Birthday, Chris. We always think of you, we’ll always miss you. ❤️
May 1, 2022
May 1, 2022
Not a day has gone by without thinking of you…we will ALWAYS remember you, Chris.
December 2, 2021
December 2, 2021
Christian, not a day has gone by that we don't think of you. And that's the honest truth. Growing together from the very beginning during those early days in killeen remain forever precious in our hearts. Our two families cleaved as friends and quickly bonded as family in the truest sense. Losing you has broken our hearts and left a scar of great loss yet we remember all those days as though it were yesterday. Sweet boy, you are deeply loved and greatly missed. We will never forget you. Never.
December 2, 2021
December 2, 2021
Happy Birthday, Chris. We will never forget you or your birthday. I hope you know that we think of you every single day.
Love,
Aunt Lynne and Uncle Joe
June 4, 2021
June 4, 2021
I heard today of Chris' passing. My heart breaks for his family, friends and LL colleagues. I had the pleasure of working with him for the past few years and will always remember him as someone who always made sure that all of my questions were answered but more importantly he was someone who treated you like a friend.  I regret that we never got to meet in person when he was
back in NE. Sending everyone who knew Chris my warmest regards and deepest sympathies during this time.
May 16, 2021
May 16, 2021
Dear Sweet Christian, there are no words in mortal mouths that can do justice for the love and loss we feel in your absence. Those early days in Killeen-- two newly married couples that became a cherished life long friendship and our first born sons--you and Vaughn-- were so full of the newness of life and laughter and sunshine. Experiencing childbirth classes, picnicking at Belton Lake, walking our laundry to the laundry mat at the end of the road with you two boys in your strollers, shopping at woolworth's for newborn baby clothes as we wondered wether we were having boys or girls (there were no ultrasounds then), vacationing in Carolina and visiting you in Mass. are memories we will carry forever as we remember the good and happy times. It seems impossible we are here now with this giant hole in our hearts. In the words of Alfred Tennyson, I leave this....."Forgive my grief for one removed, Thy creature, whom I found so fair. I trust he lives in thee, and there I find him worthier to be loved." Sending tears and hugs to heaven, always loved, never forgotten, eternally in our hearts.
May 15, 2021
May 15, 2021
Chris was an incredible human in a world that lacks them. While most remember him for his competitive nature, I was lucky enough to be his chosen person to walk beside him for the past ten years. I was honored that he entrusted me with his heart and in return he became the best father and husband any girl could have asked for. He was incredibly smart and such a comedian. He never broke a promise intentionally and tried his best to provide and love his family each and every day. While I am incredibly heart broken, I cannot regret one single second I got to spend as his. I’ll always wish I had more time but I know I was lucky to get the time I had.

I’ll love him always and forever because that’s how he loved us.
May 15, 2021
May 15, 2021
I had the pleasure of working with Chris for the last 6 1/2 years. From almost the first day, Chris became my goto person that I could approach for advice and help. In a very short time Chris became more than just a work colleague, he became a friend. We talked almost daily; complaining, laughing, strategizing, and most of all just talking. He always had my back and was always up for a chat. I will truly miss my talks with my Chris.
May 14, 2021
May 14, 2021
Growing up, I would always looks forward to the major holidays when my family would get together with Chris’. Not for the presents, or the food, or the name calling and being the butt of one of Chris’ jokes. I would look forward to the inevitable game of basketball Chris, Jeff, Brian and myself would play. When people say Chris was competitive, that’s an understatement.
It didn’t really matter whose team I would be on (except for Brian’s. Basketball was never Brian’s strong suit) because if I was on Chris’ team, I knew he would try and hard as he could. And if I was on Jeff’s team, I knew Chris was going to lose and be sour for the rest of the day which gave me a lot of satisfaction. Although when he did lose (and he lost often), there always seemed to be a reason why.
I always had hoped that the four of us would be able to play another game together, but I guess that day will have to wait a while longer. You’ll be missed, Chris
May 10, 2021
May 10, 2021
Shocked and saddened to hear the news. Chris and I never met and lived 1000s of miles and countries apart, but have been working together for years. I always enjoyed his call and hoped that one day we would get together to share some sales war stories - rather than doing it on the phone.
He will be greatly missed by many like me from around the world who only knew him from a distance. We may have thought him a friend but will sadly now never get to shake his hand. 
Our love and thoughts are with all those colleagues, friends, and precious family that had the honour of knowing him better than us. 
He will live long in all our hearts.
 
May 9, 2021
May 9, 2021
What can I say here? I know what a lot of people probably think of when they think of Chris, and all I can say is, have you ever been the younger brother of someone who competed in EVERYTHING - even if he really wasn't that good at it?

I will always remember playing tennis with him - not because either of us was any good at it - but because the trash talk was constant! My friends would make comments about how you would think it was John McEnroe standing down there at the baseline. And if he was actually losing? It just got worse. It really didn't matter what was going on, he was confident it was going to turn around and there was never any doubt in his mind that he was going to come out the winner.

But it wasn't just talk either, he was a hard worker -from the day he started his first job working in a sandwich shop, where he would run around until he fell on the floor, get up and start running again (earning him the nickname Speedy Gonzales)- until today where everyone who has worked with him is saying exactly what he probably would hope to hear.

But the speech that made him "famous"? The "Innovator" speech. I remember standing in my kitchen one day when a friend of mine who did spot on imitations tried to imitate Chris - setting off a speech about how Chris was an innovator and he didn't need to imitate others. All of my friends just started referring to him as "The Innovator" ever since.

I am pretty sure he is up there somewhere, trying to get in touch with God, and convince them that the way things are set up is pretty stupid, and he could do it better. His way would be more INNOVATIVE.

But having an older brother like Chris had another side too. The first day riding the bus, when another kid wouldn't move over to let me sit in the seat i hoped to sit in, before i could move onto the next one, Chris jumped in and threw the kid on the floor so i could have my seat. Or when I got my first job that required a suit, Chris knew the best places to get a decent suit for the least amount of money. Or the first time I was upset about losing someone to death, and he knew exactly how to reposition it in my mind so that it wasn't quite as bad.

There won't ever be another quite like him, he would just call them all imitators anyway.

May 9, 2021
May 9, 2021
I was lucky enough to work with Chris for 7+ years, and meet him 3 times in person. He is a great person who makes you feel you know him for years. The value Chris added is obvious for everyone, and we will work hard to make him proud!

It's hard to believe Chris is gone that soon, but we will always remember him. My thoughts are for his family in this hard time.
May 8, 2021
May 8, 2021
You will always be the little boy dressed in blue and white striped overalls and a red shirt.
You will always be the one who was first with a joke. And then another. And another. And yet another.
Thank you for the images in my head, the laughter in my memory and the love in my heart. We are devistated.
May 8, 2021
May 8, 2021
------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Eklund 11:42 PM
That is exactly what I wanted. I asked others and you were the first person to get me to that.. thank you

Sam Mahboob 11:42 PM
My pleasure! :)
------------------------------------------------------------

Above is the last message I shared with Eklund on April 22, 2021.

He was not just a colleague but a very good friend. It will always be a pleasure and an honor for me to have worked with him.

He was someone who believed in building relationships and he was always there to encourage and motivate everyone around him.

He was an overachiever and for me, his professional life is nothing short of a success story!

R.I.P Chris, you will be dearly missed!!
May 7, 2021
May 7, 2021
Rest in Peace my sweet boy. You're gone too soon, but you accomplished much before you had to go. Forever in our hearts. Forever in our memories. Know that you are loved. Until we meet again .. Mom and Dad.

Leave a Tribute

Light a Candle
Lay a Flower
Leave a Note
 
Recent Tributes
December 2, 2023
December 2, 2023
Happy Birthday, Chris. Another year of missing you….
May 1, 2023
May 1, 2023
Still another year has gone by, another year that we never stop thinking of you……
December 2, 2022
December 2, 2022
Happy Heavenly Birthday, Chris. We always think of you, we’ll always miss you. ❤️
Recent stories

Invite others to Christian's website:

Invite by email

Post to your timeline